Admissions Update

A very warm welcome to our Admissions Update e-newsletter, designed to give you an insight into the Crescent and a feel for the richness of school life here. You will also find lots of practical information that will help you through the admissions process.

The first thing that strikes visitors to our school is the special sense of purpose that there is here, combined with a genuinely caring and nurturing atmosphere. Every child here is unique and everyone has their place in our shared community. 

Our wonderful teaching staff are determined to go the extra mile to help children achieve everything they are capable of. This was noted in our most recent ISI 'outstanding in all areas' inspection, where the parental feedback ‘praised the school’s preparation of former pupils who had successfully and easily transitioned into their new senior school’. You can read the full report in full here.

We live by the School Promise, which asks us all to be Good Friends, Good Learners and Good Citizens in all we do. Our philosophy applies equally inside the classroom, on the sports field and in all of our extra-curricular pursuits as well.

We look forward to welcoming you to our wonderful school in the near future.

Joe Thackway
Headmaster

Congratulations to all our Year 6 pupils who, back in March, had their secondary school places confirmed. Once again pupils will be moving on to a range of outstanding local independent and state schools. 

Nine of the 23-strong class will be moving to the Foundation’s senior school, Princethorpe College, while five children have chosen the local grammar schools. We also have pupils going to a number of other independent schools. We are especially delighted that 12 of our Year 6 pupils have been awarded scholarships this year, including all-rounder, academic, art, sports, music and drama awards.

Sarah Webb, Assistant Head and Year 6 Teacher, said, “It’s lovely to see the children enjoying such success. Our aim is always to do our best to help our pupils reach the destination secondary school of their choice and we are particularly pleased with the range of scholarship offers this group has received. It’s an excellent outcome and everyone here is thrilled for them.”

Congratulations to all the children on their achievements – Crescent School is really proud of them all.

Cresent School has appointed Becky Witcomb as its new Registrar.  She has taken over the reins from Helen Morley, who has retired after more than 25 years of dedicated service, and she is enjoying being the key contact for parents interested in Crescent School.

Becky lives locally and holds a degree in Business Administration. She has a strong background in customer facing roles and has joined the Crescent from Rugby School, where for the last five years she has worked as an Admissions Officer. 

Joe Thackway, Headmaster, comments, “Becky brings a wealth of admissions knowledge and experience and a warm and friendly manner that will ensure that new parents and pupils have a seamless and smooth start to life at Crescent School.”

Comments Becky, “I am very much enjoying my new role and I am looking forward to supporting Crescent School parents and pupils through the admissions process and on into school.”

Crescent School is hosting its next Open Evening on Tuesday 14 May when Becky will be welcoming prospective parents and children to the school. For more information and to book your place please visit: https://www.crescentschool.co.uk/visit-crescent

Year 2 delivered a swashbuckling performance on Wednesday 20 March for their Lent Term production, Pirates Versus Mermaids.

A lot of hard work had gone into the rehearsals, learning the songs, memorising lines, sorting out costumes, scenery and planning the production, and what a wonderful sea-faring adventure it proved to be.

It told the story of trainee pirate, Captain Scarypants, and his crew, and the teensy-weensy problem that none of them could swim. Of course, the answer lay with the mermaids, but the pirates do not like the mermaids and the mermaids do not like the pirates. What unfolded provided lots of laughter as they all learnt to get along.

The production was fabulous and showcasing the talents, confidence and stage presence of Crescent School's young pupils. Everyone agreed it was a fabulous show.

Year 3 visited Oxford University Museum of Natural History in February to take part in a Rock Stars Geology Workshop. The children discovered the difference between rocks and minerals and how essential they are in our everyday lives. They took a hands-on journey through the rock cycle to explore the three types of rock that make up our planet and became geologists as they sorted and identified rocks. After their interactive workshop, they also had time for a tour of the museum. It was fabulous enrichment for their learning in school.

Crescent School's Spring Concert took place on Monday 18 March, with the school hall packed with parents eager to be entertained by an afternoon of fine music and song.

The orchestra opened the concert, performing two pieces confidently, Yesterday and In The Mood, the impact of their recent orchestra workshop clear to see. They were followed by a mix of instrumental solos and music group performances, all showcasing their talent, hard work and dedication.

Brass Group belted out two well known pieces fearlessly, Can You Feel The Love and Bare Necessities. Wacky Music then had great fun performing Wimoweh. While Flute Group performed a piece written specially for them, Spanish Vista.

Performing solos in the concert, many of them exam pieces, were Zac on piano, Edward on baritone, Thomas on trumpet and Charlotte on vocals.

The concert concluded with a powerful performance by the Choir. Pupils from Years 3, 4, 5 and 6 sang four pieces enthusiastically, London’s Burning, River Song, Love In My Heart and There’s A Power In The Music.

Our enormous thanks and congratulations go to all Crescent School's accomplished performers who took to the stage in front of their proud parents, and of course to all their teachers and Director of Music, Julie Barnes who have helped them achieve so much.

All 60 Crescent pupils who took the London Academy of Music & Dramatic Art (LAMDA) examinations in December passed with the overwhelming majority achieving a distinction.

At Crescent School, children from Years 3-6 study for the examinations in their Drama lessons as part of the school’s curriculum. After excellent results last year, Drama teacher, Lizzie Bowdige, challenged Years 3 and 4 by entering them for Introductory level, Stages 2 and 3 examinations respectively, one step up from the exams sat by the year groups last year.

In their examinations, the pupils were judged on interpretation, technique and knowledge. They had to consider their diction, expression and movement and be able to discuss the mood and meaning of the poems they performed. The results were received at the end of last week and they were outstanding.

Lizzie Bowdige, comments, “I am delighted with the results. Congratulations to them all. What’s so great about the LAMDA exams is that they equip the children with communication skills which will serve them throughout life. They also promote an appreciation of literature and poetry and help unlock imagination and creative thinking. I am very proud of everyone."

Crescent School warmly welcomed former pupil and teacher, Felicity Furber, and former governor, Mark Furber, back to school in January to help celebrate Founder’s Day. The school was marking its 76th birthday and also the publication of its updated A History Of Crescent School.

Mr and Mrs Furber took part in a Founder’s Day Assembly, then answered questions posed by the School Council before enjoying a tour of the school.

During the assembly, six Year 6 pupils shared extracts from the school’s early history. Dressed in original school uniform, they spoke about the experiences of the early pupils when the school was situated in Rugby town centre, on Horton Crescent adjacent to Rugby School.

Mrs Furber is the daughter of the school’s first headmistress, Mrs Eve Mortimer, and has a long and close association with Crescent School. Mr and Mrs Furber were delighted to be able to share new information and anecdotes about the school’s early years, bringing the Founder’s Day celebrations vividly to life for pupils.

During the visit, Crescent School discovered that Mr Furber has his own strong connection to the school’s current Bawnmore Road site. Mr Furber was one of the first pupils to attend the former, St Mark’s School when it opened on the Bilton site back in 1950, prior to its acquisition in 1988 by Crescent School.

Headmaster, Joe Thackway, said: “We were delighted to welcome Mr and Mrs Furber into school. The children had so many questions for them, and it really helped them understand what the school was like in its early years and to appreciate that while many aspects of the school have changed, there is much that remains the same.”

Mrs Furber commented, "It meant a lot to me to see how the school is thriving in every way.”

Copies of the second edition of A History of Crescent School have been shared with parents and contributors and a digital version is available to download for free on the school website here: https://www.theprincethorpefoundation.co.uk/publications-crescent. Printed copies are also freely available for all Old Crescentians and local residents. They can be requested here: https://connect.princethorpe.co.uk/shop (there is a small £2 charge to cover UK postage).

The U11 Hockey Team travelled down to the Olympic Park in London to play at the iconic Lee Valley Hockey Centre in the National ISA Hockey Tournament in early February. There, they faced teams from across the country and battled determinedly to eventually bring home the Trophy.

Crescent’s team faced three schools in the pool round. The games were frantic, furious and frustrating with only 10 minutes of play in each game but their resilient play in their pool games put Crescent into the Trophy competition.

In the knockout round, Crescent faced Thorpe Hall School. Crescent had all of the play, consistently applying pressure but they just couldn't find the target. The final whistle left a 0-0 draw and the prospect of penalty shuffles. Excellent goal keeping from Timi and accuracy from the players helped Crescent make it into the Trophy final and on to the stadium pitch.

With emotions running high the team collected themselves well to take on Oakfield Prep. Again, holding possession well and really pushing and holding play, Crescent scored with a few minutes to spare with a fantastically worked goal. 

It was a fantastic day out for everyone, full of highs and lows and the extreme emotions of sport. It was a well-deserved final victory after a wonderful day of quality hockey from all involved. 

This year, Crescent has had a new co-curricular activity for pupils in Years 1, 2 and 3. Edith Huang has been leading a Mandarin club that provides pupils with the opportunity to learn the Chinese language and explore Chinese culture. The club takes place on Thursdays after school.

Pupils have enjoyed activities such as learning how to count, practising how to say and write the symbols for the numbers. They have also played simple games with dominoes for example to help them memorise the new sounds.

It has been fabulous to see their confidence growing as they take part in the club each week.

Thomas, Zac and Sophie swam superbly at the National ISA Swimming Finals at the London Aquatics Centre on Friday 1 December.

Year 4, Thomas went all out and came home with a Gold medal after helping his team finish in first place in the 4x50m Freestyle Relay. Year 5, Zac did nearly as well with his team finishing in second place for a Silver medal in the 4x50m Freestyle Relay. Zac also finished 4th in the individual 50m Backstroke. Then Year 5 Sophie gave her best to finish in 5th place in the 4x50m Freestyle Relay and 6th in the individual 50m Freestyle.

Together the swimmers’ super performances helped the Midlands team finish in third place overall at the national event.

Head of PE and Games, Rachel McCollin, was delighted and said, "Our swimmers have traditionally done well in the ISA Swimming Championships, and they have had another successful outing this year. Well done to everyone who competed in both the Nationals and in the qualifying regional competitions."

Many congratulations to Alice, who is now in Year 3, who was recognised in the Independent Schools Association’s (ISA) National Art Competition.

Alice was awarded 2nd place in the KS1 Art 2D Individual Class for her striking wax resist Fun In The Sea.

Every year pupils across the school produce incredible artwork, and to celebrate their talent, this year, Art Teacher, Mrs Thackway submitted some of the children’s artwork into the ISA Art Competition. Alice and Leela, now in Year 6, received first prize and highly commended respectively for their entries in the Midlands competition. Then as the winner of her class, Alice’s art went forward to the National competition and went on show at the National Art Final Exhibition.

The judging took place in November and the school was delighted to hear that Alice had been awarded 2nd place in her age group nationally. It’s fantastic recognition for such a talented young artist, a very well done to Alice!

In the Michaelmas Term, Crescent School took part in Princethorpe College’s Year 5 Maths Challenge. The event was run by Douglas Buchanan of DCBEAGLE Challenges, who specialises in organising exciting and innovative maths activities for primary school aged children.

Crescent took three teams of two to compete alongside 52 pairs of enthusiastic and very talented mathematicians from 25 local schools, the pupils took part in a series of puzzles against the clock. In five eight-minute rounds the children tackled Tangram Triangles, Broken Calculators, Domino Jigsaws, Make 24, Card Order and Curly’s Cycling Circuits.

Ably supported and marked by a team of Princethorpe’s Year 10 pupils, the competition stretched and challenged the children with mathematical activities that required both reasoning skills and mathematical knowledge.

The event was huge fun for all who took part and everyone who participated received a certificate and a special Princethorpe cookie.

Crescent School’s teams were amazing finishing 2nd, 6th and 16th scoring 125 points, 107 points and 88 points respectively.

Mrs Dowling, who accompanied the children, said, “The children had a great time and really enjoyed putting their maths skills to the test. Well done to them all, there were some very talented mathematicians taking part and they made Crescent School proud.”

The year's edition of The Circular, Crescent School’s annual review for pupils, parents and staff, was published in November.

The magazine includes stories and photos from across the 2022-2023 school year, giving a wonderful insight into the life of the school and the learning that takes place, day in day out, here at the Crescent. 

Printed copies were distributed to our existing families and an electronic copy of the magazine is also available on the school website. If you would like to have a read you can find it here:

https://www.theprincethorpefoundation.co.uk/publications-crescent

The latest issue of The Minnacle has just been published, showcasing our pupils' super work. The Minnacle celebrates our pupils at their best and this edition includes plenty more amazing examples, from fabulous literacy and super biographies, through to incredible Design Technology and even a little bit of Junior da Vinci language skills too. Why not have a read yourself - you can download a copy from our school website here.

Take a look at The Pinnacle too, it celebrates the work of pupils at our Foundation's senior school, Princethorpe College, you can find a copy on their website here.